Itís now a ritual: at each yearís end Microsoft
releases new gaming devices that fall perfectly in time with the Christmas
season.
This year, Microsoft obeyed to the rule once more and
was even very prolific since they launched several SideWinder devices.
Between them the SideWinder Strategic Commander is probably the most
innovative
(with the GameVoice)
and revolutionary as itís designed specifically for gamers that play with
strategic games (iím sure you have already guessed) like Age of Empires,
Command & Conquer, SimCity, etc. This device is in fact a secondary mouse
for users with eleven totally customizable buttons to perform various
actions in order to win easily. Frankly I donít know where Microsoft pick
up all their ideas to design such great gaming devices since I would never
dare to dream about such a device to ease my gaming experience with the
final objective to make me win more often. Indeed the innovative map
movement and customizable commands at your fingertips, are a real shortcut
to absolute victory.

Features List

Here are the key features of the futuristic SideWinder
Strategic Commander unit:

Program up to 72 commands: From simple to advanced competitive profiles, Strategic
Commander can accommodate all styles of game play

Unprecedented Versatility:
With record-on-the-fly, program what you need without ever leaving the game!

Custom
Game Profiles: Try one of over 30 pre-programmed profiles for your favorite
strategy games or create, edit, and share your own.

Rotating Axis Control:
Intuitive map control that makes even 3D games a breeze to navigate.

Installing the SideWinder Strategic Commander on your
PC is a breeze. Personally I placed it to the left of my keyboard and
plugged it to the USB port of my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. The
device was instantly recognized by Windows Me. Then I inserted the drivers
CD to enjoy the benefits of the high quality Microsoft drivers. The setup
program of the drivers looks like the one of the SideWinder GameVoice and
is built around the Microsoft Windows Installer Technology. Each step is
clearly explained and the full driver set is installed in two minutes. At
the end of the setup a small video is launched in order to present you
this device thatíll change the way youíre playing strategic games. When
the setup is finished youíll notice a new SideWinder Strategic Commander
icon on your desktop. This icon is obviously intended to launch the
SideWinder Strategic Commander configuration application weíll review
later.

Design

The Strategic Commander unit is in fact composed of two
parts: the stationery bottom one is the base where the moving pad is attached.
The base features two buttons: the slider lets you select up to three different
game profiles while the rec button is intended to record on the fly actions
shortcuts without leaving your games. The second part is obviously the moving
pad. The padís exclusive design will perfectly hug the form of your hand and
youíll be able to rest your hand comfortably on it. When you put your hand on it
the little finger rests on a dedicated curve, the ring, major and index fingers
reach the six programmable buttons(that
are near to the Zoom ones) while the thumb commands the third shift buttons
located on the right part of the pad that allow to change actual combination.